Rhythm and Blues genre originated in the 1940s. The term R&B was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans and replaced the term “race music”. The lyrics often embody the African-American experience of pain and the quest for freedom and joy, as well as triumphs and failures in relationships, economics, aspirations, and sex. Popular R&B vocalists of the 20th century included Prince, R. Kelly, Stevie Wonder, Chaka Khan, Whitney Houston, and Mariah Carey.
